Spiranthes vernalis
(Spring Lady’s Tresses)
Spiranthes vernalis, Goose Island State Park, Aransas Co. 4818
Spiranthes vernalis, Goose Island State Park, Aransas Co. 4817
Spiranthes vernalis, Lake Martin Creek State Park, Rusk Co. 5934
Spiranthes vernalis, Lake Martin Creek State Park, Rusk Co. 5948
Spiranthes vernalis, Lake Martin Creek State Park, Rusk Co. 5944
| Scientific Name | Spiranthes vernalis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SPVE |
| Common Name | Spring Lady's Tresses | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 43453 |
| Family | Orchidaceae (Orchid) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Dry to wet soils in meadows, prairies, dunes and beach areas. Plant: Upright perennial 8 to 25 inches tall, single, stout green stem. Leaves: Four or five linear to narrowly lanceolate basal leaves, 2 to 10 inches long and 1/2-inch wide, becoming smaller, sheathing bracts upward; remaining through flowering time. Inflorescence: Single spike, 1 to 6 inches (or more) long, with up to 50 small white flowers in a single spiral with 3 to 7 or more per cycle; each white to cream flower has 3 petals and 3 sepals and is up to 1/2-inch long; sepals are lanceolate, about 3/8-inch long with the lateral 2 spreading; petals are oblong, with rounded tips, the lower lip with a creamy yellow center or sometimes with brown-orange spots. Bloom Period: April to July. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason, North American Orchid Conservation Center, Flora of North America and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024